Dear Families,
What a fun and exciting week it has been at VVS! The Nature of Ornament art exhibit is in full swing in our MakerSpace and students are enjoying walking through the gallery and reflecting on what they see. This exhibit features 13 artifacts created by Alberta artists and “highlights parallels between aesthetic patterns that exist naturally in the wild with humanity’s timeless inclinations towards adornment. Patterns are everywhere, and humans are pattern-seeking creatures.” The art exhibit will be open to all families during parent-teacher conferences on March 21st and 22nd.
We were also in awe of our 6 finalists from each grade who memorized the most digits of pi on Pi Day. These students practiced so hard and took the risk to recite the numbers of pi in front of the whole school. Our grade 5 winner was able to recite 256 digits of pi, which is such an accomplishment. Each finalist then had a chance to gently put a pie in the face of a teacher of their choice. The school was bursting with energy!
School highlights of these activities and more can be found on X: @valleyviewcbe
Spring Equinox
Did you know that the Spring Equinox (March 19th) holds special significance for Indigenous communities and many other cultures around the world?
For Indigenous peoples, this equinox often marks the beginning of ceremonial traditions and celebrations that honor the balance of nature and the interconnectedness of all living things. It's a time of gratitude for the gifts of the Earth and a time to acknowledge the wisdom passed down through generations.
In other cultures, such as Persian, Chinese, and many more, the Spring Equinox is celebrated with festivals and rituals symbolizing rebirth, renewal, and the triumph of light over darkness.
Let's take this opportunity to learn from and respect the diverse traditions and perspectives surrounding the Spring Equinox. Together, we can embrace the spirit of unity and harmony that this season represents. At VVS school, we will be having a Spring Equinox scavenger hunt to learn more about the significance of the equinox.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher conferences will be held on March 21st and 22nd. It’s an important opportunity for parents/guardians to connect with their child’s teacher to learn more about how they are doing in relation to curricular and well-being outcomes. Mrs. Skibbe, Music Teacher, and Mrs. Dexter, Literacy Teacher, will also be available to share how your child is doing. If you haven’t booked a conference, please do so by logging into your MyCBE account.
Universal Screeners
In the CBE, we use universal screeners to help inform our next steps with your child. These screeners allow us to plan intentionally and communicate with you about what we’ve learned from the screeners. To learn more about these screeners, you can visit the Curriculum and Assessment page on the CBE’s website.
Other opportunities at the conferences include:
-Connect with the VVS School Council executives to learn more about how to get involved at the school. The School Council takes an active role by having input into school decisions and fundraising for school initiatives. The VVS School Council will also be selling treats and snacks for a small price. Funds raised will go towards school initiatives. Please bring small change.
-The VVS School Council has also been partnering with Veronica Chirino, the City of Calgary Social Worker for Dover, who will also be available to answer questions and share upcoming events and activities in the community. Don’t miss out on connecting with Veronica!
-The Nature of Ornament Art Exhibit will be open for families to view. You can enjoy the artwork in the MakerSpace located in the Learning Commons.
Spring Clean Up
We are embracing the warm weather and taking advantage of getting our school grounds ready for spring and summer activities. On Monday March 18, our whole school will be involved in cleaning up the school grounds. There has been a lot of litter and garbage built up over the winter months and we want our school to be clean so we can have enjoyable learning experiences outdoors. Please help us keep the school grounds clean by not littering. Thank you.
Cookie Day
The VVS School Council is thrilled to present the 1st Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookie Day fundraiser on Wednesday, March 20th! These delicious treats will be sold by our grade 4 /5 classes in every classroom. Each pouch is only $2.
Not only will your child enjoy a sweet treat, but your purchase will also directly support funding for student field trips and experiences. Please consider sending $2 with your child on Wednesday. Our goal is to raise $700.
Earth Hour
On Saturday March 23, 2024 from 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., the world will work together to help restore our Earth and take action to conserve our planet. At VVS, our school community will take an extra step and recognize Earth Hour on Thursday March 21st from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. During this hour of the school day, we will turn off our classroom lights and not use any technology to raise awareness about our carbon footprint and help reduce consumption. This will be a great opportunity for students to ask questions and reflect on how they will make a difference.
Language and Reading Session for Parents
Language and Reading: Tying it Together with the Reading Rope You're invited to join CBE speech-language pathologists in a session aimed at learning how to support language development and building reading skills. We'll focus on building language skills through shared reading experiences and playing with sounds during everyday activities. This is a live online two-part series intended for caregivers of kindergarten, grade 1, and grade 2 students. Please note that children's attendance is not required.
Click here for more information.
Upcoming Dates:
Thursday March 21 – Parent-Teacher Conferences - 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday March 22 – Parent-Teacher Conferences – 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (No School for Students)
Monday March 25 – Monday April 1 – Spring Break (SCHOOL CLOSED)
Tuesday April 2 – School Resumes